holidays Ian Cylkowski holidays Ian Cylkowski

Armadale, Sleat Peninsula, Isle of Skye, Scotland

Even though we’ve been to Skye a few times now, we’d never actually explored the Sleat peninsula of southern Skye until recently.

Even though we’ve been to Skye a few times now, we’d never actually explored the Sleat peninsula of southern Skye until recently.

See more beautiful photos of the Isle of Skye, Scotland.

Sleat is rather unlike the rest of Skye. Whereas most of Skye is mountainous, rugged, lined with cliffs, punctuated with moorland, Sleat is more about rolling hills and pastoral land. It also offers wonderful views across the Sound of Sleat towards the Knoydart mountains.

As well as checking out the peninsula’s coastline and views, we also explored the ruins of Armadale Castle and its grounds. It wasn’t the best day in terms of light and weather, but the scenery doesn’t really need it.

Photos taken on a Fujifilm X-T2 with a Samyang 12mm f/2 NCS.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Read More
day hikes Ian Cylkowski day hikes Ian Cylkowski

Dentdale, Yorkshire Dales, England

A week ago, in the Yorkshire Dales, we experienced a winter fairytale. Today, all the snow has gone. The air is damp and drizzly, everything is wet, and the fells are cloaked in swirling clouds.

A week ago, in the Yorkshire Dales, we experienced a winter fairytale. Today, all the snow has gone. The air is damp and drizzly, everything is wet, and the fells are cloaked in swirling clouds.

It’s still beautiful, though. Lisabet and I enjoyed a stroll around Dentdale, one of the westernmost dales in the Yorkshire Dales, its village and its valley. Further up towards the head of the valley you’ll find a couple of viaducts crossing steep gills, with Arten Gill Viaduct one of the more epic ones. Today was a different kind of winter; gloomy skies, vivid moss, and a rain-soaked landscape.

Photos taken with a Fujifilm X-T2 and a Samyang 12mm f2.

Read More
holidays Ian Cylkowski holidays Ian Cylkowski

Elgol, Isle of Skye, Scotland

A trio of compositions from probably my favourite place on the Isle of Skye: Elgol.

A trio of compositions from probably my favourite place on the Isle of Skye: Elgol. Once you get down to the village’s seashore, your view north gives you almost unparalleled views of the Black Cuillins of Skye. More interesting coast awaits as you hike north, navigating a beach covered in rugby-ball boulders until you arrive at a fantasy-like shore of jenga-like rock stacks, raised geometric platforms, and weather-beaten slopes and scree.

Photos shot on my Fujifilm X-T2 with a Samyang 12mm f/2 lens.

Read More
day hikes Ian Cylkowski day hikes Ian Cylkowski

Viaduct Country

The River Eden starts its life up on Black Fell Moss in the Mallerstang valley.

By the time it’s made its way out of Mallerstang into the Vale of Eden, it starts cutting through the brockram rock (a type of mix of limestone and sandstone). South of Kirkby Stephen, at Stenkrith Park, the Eden drops dramatically into a gorge called Coopkarnel, otherwise known as the Devil’s Grinding Mill. It’s a spectacular sight from the Millennium Bridge, and the roaring sound makes your tummy flip in awe of the forces involved.

Lisabet and I were delighted to find this place still fairly resplendent in autumn colours.

Camera: Fujifilm X-T2
Lens: Samyang 12mm ƒ/2.0 NCS CS
ISO: 100
Aperture: ƒ/22.0
Shutter speed: 3secs
Software: Camera Raw, Photoshop CC, Nik Collection

Read More
day hikes Ian Cylkowski day hikes Ian Cylkowski

Going For A Paddle

For years I’ve wanted to get myself a solid pair of wellies for wading into rivers and plunge pools. I’ve often felt my river and waterfall compositions have been lacking because I’ve never really been able to just get into the water for more intimate angles.

A few weeks ago, my Dad surprised me with a set of adjustable waterproof wellies. Today, I got to try them on for wandering around Stock Ghyll Force in Ambleside. It was such an exhilarating experience! Now I could finally waltz into the river and get the angles I never could before.

See more beautiful photos of the Lake District, England.

Camera: Fujifilm X-T2
Lens: Samyang 12mm ƒ/2.0 NCS CS
ISO: 100
Aperture: ƒ/22.0
Shutter speed: 1.5secs
Software: Capture One, Nik Collection, Affinity Photo

Read More